Applied Behavior Analysis ( Aba )

Thank you for your considering my application to the Applied Behavior analysis program. For all of my life I have known that I was going to help people. It could be said that it is in my DNA. I just never suspected what the capacity would be. On December 15thI graduated from Albright college, I began working at Melmark on December 16th. My first thought, on that first day was “Oh no, I can’t do this, I need to quit” That was over two years ago, and I have gone to work every day, with a smile on my face. While working at my first position, out of college, I discovered my passion. My passion, I find, is working with children and adults with autism and with people who suffer from addiction. Watching the smiles on their faces, the determination when they work to complete a goal, and just the progress makes every hardship worth it, I love it. Each day, in my position as an ABA, I run behavior support plans, IEPs, teaching plans and other protocols, and each day I truly wish that I could have contributed to these plans, protocols, and IEPs. I ponder the recommendations that I could come up with, I wonder that if I had been able to participate in these conversations to create these plans could I have brought something else to the table, a different viewpoint. Affecting the way that the plans are written and in turn ran, I feel that I could make a big difference in the lives of the children and their families also. Every two weeks each child’s team meets to discuss his or her

Applied behavior analysis previously known as behavior modification is the application of behavior that modifies human behavior, especially as part of a learning or treatment process. Applied behavioral analysis can provide changes and improvement in social behavior including communication, social skills, academics, toileting etc. These applied behavior analysis is used to promote meaningful and positive behavior. Once you have identified what the issue is the next step would be to identify goals and objectives. Design and implement a plan. Continue evaluating the progress and modifying to goals to meet the need of the individual. One of the techniques used is positive reinforcements as a reward for positive

Autism is a disease that is being diagnosed today more than ever before. In fact, as of 2014 the statistics for diagnosis of autism are one in sixty-eight children, with diagnosis being much more common in boys (Autism Speaks, 2016a). While there are many theories about what causes autism, there is currently not any proven predictor of what will cause this disease to develop (Landrigan, 2010). Since prevention is not possible at this time, it is extremely beneficial and important to research understanding and treatment of those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There are many avenues of treatment for ASD, but one method that has received significant attention is applied behavior analysis (ABA). The goal of this research article is to explore the definition of applied behavior analysis, its development over time, and its application to real life. Some questions that will be explored are when and where did ABA originate, how has it developed over time, and what researchers contributed new findings to this intervention. Additionally, the methods that have been developed over time to implement ABA will be discussed, specifically with their application to autism and individuals diagnosed with ASD. Finally, there will be a discussion of how skills that individuals with ASD gain from applied behavioral analysis can be applied to a classroom setting.

My enthusiasm for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in kids and pre-adults began in the midst of my journey for a graduate degree in teaching. When I graduated with my Bachelors in Psychology, I noticed there were many available instructing positions in teaching. I chose to seek after a graduate

Baer, D. M., Wofl, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (2015, 11 5). Some Current Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis. Retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13109980/pdf/jaba00083-0089.pdf

Pursuing a career in applied behavioural analysis is motivated by my focus and interest in working with people. A Board Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBA) commonly work with children to alter behaviour, which I do find an interest in due to my love for children. Initially, I do wish to use my training to help children in need of behavioural changes by working in schools for special

Also when I took Abnormal Psychology I learned about the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System 2nd edition (ABAS) it measures the behavior frequency of the child. Parents score the child on individual questions between 0-3. 0 is not able, 1 is never when needed, 2 is sometimes when needed, 3 always when needed. The sections include communication, home living, academics, community use, health and safety, leisure, self-care, self-direction, social, and work. When the ABAS is scored it gives a score on developmental skills, emotional behavior, and relationship with others. It determines if the children is above or below average, it shows which sections they are strong and weak in, and if help should be given to that child. I was able to score a couple of Adaptive Behavior Assessments by putting it into the computer that generates an report that would then be used in the weekly meetings to determine if the child should be placed in special education.

Among the most widely disseminated procedures derived directly from the principles of applied behavior analysis have been those applied to the analysis and treatment of common childhood problems (e.g., Arndorfer, Allen, & Aljazireh, 1999; Schroeder & Gordon, 1991; Watson & Gresham, 1998). Applied behavior analysts have developed a countless effective interventions for common childhood problems and have repeatedly demonstrated that, even in loosely controlled applied environments, behavior often responds rather quickly to properly managed contingencies. Yet, despite these successes, some have maintained that simply providing repeated demonstrations of the effectiveness of behavioral technology eventually will yield diminishing returns to the field (Kunkel, 1987). The success of an intervention is dependent not only upon its effectiveness but also upon its precise delivery by a clinician and the consistency with which parents and staff implement that treatment with all of its essential

Facilitated Communication (FC) is a technique used by some caregivers in an attempt to help those with severe communication disabilities. Rosemary Crossley, the originator of FC, came up with this technique in the late 1970’s and it was originally used for individuals with cerebral palsy. A little over a decade later, FC made its way to the U.S. by way of Douglas Biklen and he extended it to autism. Biklen argued that we had it all wrong and that autism is primarily a motor, not mental, disorder. For that reason, many used FC, or supported typing as it is called today, as a means to communicate with autistic individuals who have severe communication disabilities. FC requires two people, the individual with autism and the facilitator.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a type of systematic instruction using seven dimensions to be considered ABA. The seven dimensions are as follows; applied, behavioral, analytic, conceptual, technological, effective, and generality (Leach, 2014)

Behavior analysts should describe these in detail to the clients, as their cooperation is important for the success of the program. If a behavior analyst is working with an in-home client, she should describe to the client and caregivers the importance of delivering reinforcers consistently and appropriately. She would also have to review safety considerations and stress accurate recording of data by the caregivers. The behavior analyst may be able to better control the environment of an in-home client compared to the environment of a client in a public school. When discussing control of the environment with those involved with a client in a public school, the behavior analyst will need to have the cooperation of everyone involved with the child’s treatment (e.g. teachers, teacher aids, counselors). It may be more difficult for the behavior analyst to determine effective reinforcers of control those reinforcers in a public-school setting. It may also be challenging to obtain resources for the treatment program in such a

Applied Behavior Analysis analysts are required to know the steps that are needed and necessary for behavior modification. This type of modification requires a clear definition of the behavior needing modification (target behavior), how this will benefit the individual in need of the modification, a clear plan of modification, and consistent data gathering to determine the effectiveness of the proposed behavior modification plan. In order to achieve a successful modification plan, the ABA professional first needs to gather information about the individual either by direct or indirect means. The modification must always been in the best interest of the individual, or those closest to the individual, and it must be a functional modification that can be carried out in the absence of the analyst. The ABA professional needs to understand the needs of each client. In order to do this, the professional will have to assess the behavior, gather data, identify a target behavior, propose a hypothesis about an intervention, implement the modification program, gather more data about the effectiveness of the program, and report about the outcome.

Applied Behavioral Analysis is a natural science that aims to systematically apply intervention processes using the behavior learning theory in order to remove or change undesirable socially significant behaviors (Cooper, Heron, Heward, 2007). Applied behavioral analysis can be applied in many setting and situations and the intervention process and techniques depend on those settings and individual situations. Applied behavioral analysis is used to modify target behaviors that can occur in

Behavior modification. The first step to behavior modification is to assess and observe behavior in order to collect data . The purpose of this assessment is to determine the baseline, or frequency, of the problem behavior. Determining a baseline will allow the teacher to make comparisons to the post-intervention evaluation. The observational assessment must consider the environmental causes of the behavior ( ). According to behaviorists, almost all behavior can be broken down into the ABC components, where A is the antecedent, B is the behavior, and C is the consequence of the behavior ( ). The antecedent occurs before the behavior while the consequence occurs after. This enables teachers to see what is happening in

For students in a self-contained classroom, cueing and behavior modification are frequently used components of behaviorism. Cueing is using a method other than a verbal reminder as a way to encourage appropriate behavior, or discourage inappropriate behavior (Standridge, 2002). Behavior modification, as outlined in Foundations of Workforce Education, is used “to elicit better classroom performance from reluctant students” (Brewer, Campbell, & Petty, 2000, p.17). Behavior modification involves several components, such as determining what is desired, creating specifics within the environment, identifying appropriate rewards, reinforcing behavior patterns,